Grandma knows best Blackford comfortable with Cubs system

May 13, 2006|CURT RALLO Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Former Triton High School star Todd Blackford was bewildered when he learned toward the end of last season that he was being dealt from the Atlanta Braves organization to the Chicago Cubs' system. But his grandmother didn't have any doubts about how to react when she heard the news that Cub blue was in Blackford's future. "My grandma has been a Cubs fan her whole life," Blackford said. "She was just ecstatic when she heard about the trade. Every game, she's in front of that TV watching. Any chance she gets, she goes to Wrigley Field." Blackford had to deal with a different set of emotions when he was called into the manager's office and told to pack his bags. "At first I was shocked and real nervous," Blackford said of the trade. "I didn't know why it happened and I didn't know what to expect. But then I talked to the head guys at the Braves and the Cubs, and they reassured me that it was a good thing. Once I really found out all I could about the trade and the reason for it, I was real excited, and so was my family." Blackford's family could get to see him pitch this series -- weather permitting -- when Blackford and the Cubs' Class A farm team, the Peoria Chiefs, invades Coveleski Stadium to take on the South Bend Silver Hawks. Although the rotation hasn't been finalized, Blackford's best chance to pitch appears to be Monday. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right-hander is 2-1 this season with a 5.86 earned-run average. "Coming back is fun seeing all of the people you know, but at the same time, you've got that pressure where you really want to perform and do well in front of them to make them happy," said Blackford, who lives in Bourbon in the offseason and tries to get to as many Triton sports events as possible. Blackford was the only freshman starter on the 2001 Triton state championship baseball team. He earned all-state honors his senior season and was drafted by Atlanta in the 2004 draft. "You definitely have to grow up quick," Blackford said of jumping into pro baseball from high school. "You're just put out there in the real world. You have to adjust real quick. The first year is the hardest. You see all of the other players, and you're like, man, all of these guys are good. You just have to keep your concentration and realize that you're there for a reason." Chiefs manager Jody Davis said that Blackford's control is the main focus of his development. Blackford has struck out 19 but walked 15 in seven starts. "Right now, consistency is the main thing Todd's working on," Davis said. "He's throwing the ball real well. His velocity is good and he challenges hitters for the most part. He has a game in there every now and then where he wants to fall in love with his breaking ball a little bit. "He's not very far away. His ball has a lot of movement. He throws 90-91 with good movement. A lot of times what gets him in trouble, he tries to be too fine with it and then the ball runs off the plate and it's a ball. With him, we're trying to work on trying to stay in the middle of the plate and let it run to the corners, instead of trying to be too fine with it." Blackford said he is working on learning the fine art of pitching. "In high school, you could just rear back and throw it," he said. "I didn't have a change-up because I didn't need it. Guys couldn't catch up to the fastball. But in pro baseball, all these guys can hit mid-90's fastballs, and they'll spit on the curveball, too. In high school I was just a thrower. Now I'm trying to turn into a pitcher and throw it where I want it." Blackford spent a dreary Friday at Coveleski Stadium throwing off of the bullpen mound despite the rain. "Some people think we're making a ton of money, but we're really not," Blackford said. "Some people think it's fun and games, but it's hard work. But to me, it's a dream come true."